is your eVent bivi a big agnus? I've got one, and its not for Closter phobic people. but that material is more water proof than Gore Tex. You can use it in the rain, but don't know how to get in/out and stay dry.

is your eVent bivi a big agnus? I've got one, and its not for Closter phobic people. but that material is more water proof than Gore Tex. You can use it in the rain, but don't know how to get in/out and stay dry.

Click to expand...

That's the problem with them. I suppose it's somehow possible to get dressed in them but it would be like a surgical procedure that would be frustrating.

How in the hell would you roll up and stuff your bag n mat when you can't even sit up straight. I'm not say'n that it can't be done. I should try it sometime to find out for sure.

As far as eVent being more waterproof than Goretex I'm not sure. I suspect that it is more breathable, and think that that trade off might be that it might be less waterproof. The reason I'm assuming this is because there are plenty of fishing waders w/Goretex membrane, but I have never seen any eVent used in a product that was submersible. Maybe there is. I just haven't seen any.

As far as eVent being more waterproof than Goretex I'm not sure. I suspect that it is more breathable, and think that that trade off might be that it might be less waterproof. The reason I'm assuming this is because there are plenty of fishing waders w/Goretex membrane, but I have never seen any eVent used in a product that was submersible. Maybe there is. I just haven't seen any.

Don't know about the waders, but was instructed on eVent. Seems the fabric holes are cone shaped, so air can pass through one way, but not the other. So, it may not be as breathable as GoreTex, I don't know. But, there are stuff sack dry bags using eVent in the end panel. After you roll close the opening, you can squeeze the air out of the bag through the eVent panel, and it stays out. It's really cool. Makes packing bulky cloth items easier. But do agree that is not widely used compared to GoreTex. Is this due to cost, establishment of GoreTex, or the warranty, or something else, I don't know.

Unless you are two up on a bike I find SPACE is more valuable than saving weight. I don't care how much stuff you take it's difficult to reach 100 pounds. But SPACE...ahh. I'd say my heaviest biggest luxury item is the chair. It takes up space and weighs almost as much as everything else. I try and find/buy/make things that fit inside things. You know stove that fits in your pan. Spoon that fits in your mug. Put stuff in your shoes. We have it down pat for our needs and are never wanting anything. But that's two people on two bikes with one tent...we can carry a lot of stuff and be comfortable. We are coming to the conclusion that we are not camping anymore...but.....rather simply sleeping in a tent.

My only luxury is a Microsoft Surface. It allows me to dump video and pics off my camera and watch the occasional movie I've already downloaded (I am usually camped where there is no reception and often, no campground).

After hauling a ton of stuff to Prudhoe bay twice that I never use I now put everything on my living room floor that Im not sure of taking and have it ready for my wife to express it to me if needed. I am getting ready to leave on the 21st from san diego to new foundland and my living room floor is covered!

I bring a third pair of underwear on trips longer than a week. That's quite a luxury :)
Joey Chair and camp shoes (crocks or Merrel Moabs) are the only real luxury item I bring that is not required.
Some call my gopro a luxury item, I consider it a work related burden :)

I took a lot of stuff on my trip, but afterwards I thought the biggest waste of space was my entire Givi tail bag. Looking back I would eliminate that entire bag from my gear, and just use the waterproof duffel packed out a bit more. I brought way too much clothes. 7 pairs of boxers, 7 pairs of boxers etc... First trips the hardest to figure out. Once you know you can improve easier down the line.

I splurge on a good memory foam/bamboo pillow (it's travel sized, but still larger than camp or inflatable camp models that pack down). Every time I use it, I'm thankful I brought it along, I can't sleep on a shitty pillow. If I don't sleep the night sucks and the next day sucks.

I've always taken too much stuff. Every time I jettison something it ends up being replaced by something else. Now it's photo equipment. 3 camera bags. 1 with camera, Sony a6000 and lens, then two other 2 lens bags, for a total of 5 lenses. and a tripod. Ouch. This year I decided to take two jackets. A typical 3/4 length 3 season jacket and a mesh. God that mesh is great when it gets hot.

"......What items do you take with you even though they take up too much weight and space ?......."

My wife?

Seriously, like many here I have tried to reduce my total load. My fear has always been breakdowns, so lots of heavy/bulky tools and the like were included. Negotiating the Stelvio Pass switchbacks taught me that the already heavy GSA did not need 100 lbs of extra weight in the panniers. Last year I toured with a multi tool and some duct tape and an ADAC card with breakdown insurance across Europe (I hope).

Every year I drag full camping gear in a huge dry bag or taking up an entire pannier. In reality, I use hotels almost every night - so no more camping gear, and especially no cooking gear as food is everywhere I ride.

Last trip, 5 pairs of gloves from ventilated to insulated/heated. This year two pairs one for rain, and one for all else.

I always have a portable camping chair and rain clothes in the smaller right pannier of my DL650. Never take the panniers off, so there is enough space to carry luxury items with me all the time. The Topcase is also always mounted, so i can leave my helmet and jacket on the bike, when walking through a city or exploring the surroundings.

Have your cake and eat it too - couple of examples: Instead of whiskey, use Everclear (190 grain alcohol) - it's the equivalent of dehydrated vodka so a 5oz flask is equal to a pint bottle of 80 proof. Use it for stove fuel, pot/utensil cleaner/sterilizer, hand sanitizer, etc. A down sleeping quilt with a velcro head hole makes a great down poncho for the cold evenings and mornings at the campsite.